Favorite Ostomy Deodorants and Odor Solutions

What is your favorite ostomy deodorant? Any other suggestions for odor?

M9 is the best. I have used Peppermint Lifesavers; others have used Tic Tacs or oils. It is what it is.

Yup... what he said.

Yeah M9 or else adapt lubricating deodorant.

To get the best results, it's best to also stay away from odor-causing foods or at least minimize eating them.

• Decreased output odor, colostomy or ileostomy:

Blueberry, buttermilk, parsley, tomato juice, orange juice, yogurt, cranberry juice, spinach, peppermint oil

• Some foods that do cause odors:

Asparagus, cod liver oil, strong cheese, coffee, garlic, prunes, beans, cucumbers, green peppers, radishes, Brussels sprouts, eggs, milk, turnips, cabbage, fish, onions, certain vitamins/drugs, alcoholic beverages, broccoli

I can only speak as someone with a colostomy. Before buying anything, I would try out different ones. Most manufacturers will provide free sample sachets. I like the M9 odor eliminator spray as an air freshener. I could not tolerate the M9 drops in my pouch. The drops would interact with my stool and create a nauseating smell. Be Free was one I used a lot before settling on just using hydrogen peroxide — 10 - 20 ml. I also use Brava lubricant and deodorant as a lubricant — it works great with the peroxide.

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

I like Brava lubricating deodorant from Coloplast because it is easy to gauge how much you are squirting into the bag. But it is crazy expensive, and Medicare will only allow one bottle a month. So I supplement with Tic Tacs. Since I have an ileostomy, I use the mints four times before using the Brava. I also take 60 mg of chlorophyll a day. And then there is the avoidance of smelly foods, like a traveler mentions.

Daniel

M9

I kinda go au naturale.  My secret weapon against unruly coworkers.  Sneak up near their cubicle, perform a Stealth burp... wait for the mayhem and singed nose hairs.

M9

G-Day Guys, you know everyone is worried about the smell. Think back before you had a stoma; did your shit smell of roses or shit? People without a stoma still stink the place out, and I reckon if I had to choose, I would pick the stoma poo. Regards, IGGIE

Hi, IGGIE. The only thing I will quarrel with you here is bathroom smells. I no longer have issues with odor inside or outside the bathroom. But before I started using deodorizers, my bathroom would constantly smell, no matter how many times I cleaned it. Of course, at that time, I was emptying my bag 10-11 times a day, whereas now it is ~6 times. Now, I don't even have to use a fan, open a window, keep the door closed, or spray any aerosols.

But, it all comes down to whatever floats your boat. 🥸

Daniel

My 2 cents worth as an ileo... 7 years and counting... kenn butt... too... re: smells, M9 and candles. Boom!

G-Day Daniel, After every empty, I spray bleach in the bowl and also have an automatic deodorizer that goes off every 30 minutes, so it's never a problem. Regards, IGGIE. Say hello to the family.

IGGIE, I used to do the bleach thing as well. All that did was cover up the smell for a short period. And I got tired of the smell of bleach seeping into my bedroom. Part of the problem is my bathroom is on a garden level with no window. So, ventilation is an issue even with the bathroom fan. What I am currently doing works for me, and that is all that is important. I am finally at a point where I feel comfortable going to visit friends in faraway places and staying with them in their homes, knowing that I won't stink up their bathrooms. :-)

Daniel

I was 6 months in with my colostomy and was contemplating a trip with 2 friends, where we'd be sharing a hotel room (and bathroom) and then a cottage (and bathroom). I was so concerned about the residual bathroom smells that I considered not going. One of the friends knew about my concerns and suggested I do what the old farmers did -- light matches in the bathroom when I was done using it. So we left books of matches in the bathroom! [I saw the suggestion above to use candles... that might have been easier :)] I like Hollister's deodorant/lubricant - it works well and is itself odor-free (I hate perfumy things). I get such GREAT information on this site. I am so grateful to all of you.

At home, we have 2 bathrooms. We each have our own.

But when we are on vacation, my wife spends a long time in the single hotel bathroom.

Tactical burping and emptying of my stoma buddy decrease that time considerably.